Selena Smith, of Davis Grimm Payne & Marra, will address practical questions about harassment training and investigations in a Feb. 28 seminar in Seattle, along with practical guidance for minimizing the risk of liability in your workplace.

What you’ll learn:

Legal Obligations Concerning Harassment Prevention and Responses

Effective Strategies for Conducting Workplace Investigations

New Guidance for Limiting Exposure to Harassment Liability

Smith is a shareholder with the law firm Davis Grimm Payne & Marra. She has several years of experience representing private and public-sector employers in labor and employment law matters, including with respect to discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wage and hour compliance, FMLA, ADA, employee relations, and related matters. Smith also has extensive experience representing and advising employers in traditional labor law matters, including collective bargaining, unfair labor practice and representation proceedings, labor arbitrations, union organizing campaigns, and strike preparation.

The seminar takes place 10-11:30 a.m., at 701 Fifth Ave., Suite 4040, Seattle, in the Columbia Tower Club in the West Room on the 40th floor.

AWB President Kris Johnson called on lawmakers to lower the business and occupation (B&O) tax rate for all Washington manufacturers, not just those in some parts of the state, during a hearing Friday before the House Finance Committee.

In its current form, Substitute House Bill 2947 would lower the B&O rate for manufacturers in 30 counties. It would leave out nine counties, including many that consist largely of rural areas, such as Kitsap and Benton.

"It's time to let all manufacturers win," Johnson said, echoing language that Rep. Gael Tarleton, D-Ballard, used during a floor speech last week on a separate measure aimed at boosting Washington's boat manufacturers. "We're going to let our fishing fleet win," Tarleton declared before the House voted 97-1 in favor of her bill.

Six months ago, Avista and Hydro One announced plans to combine and form one of North America's largest regulated utilities. Since that time, as we've moved toward closing, our confidence has only grown in the benefits of this merger for all of our stakeholders, from our customers and employees to our shareholders and the communities we serve.

Given the central role that Avista plays in its service territories, both as an energy provider and a member of the community, we understand why customers and community members want assurances that they will continue to receive safe, reliable and high-quality energy at a fair price and that Avista will continue to be an active corporate citizen.

The short answer is that the proposed transaction is designed to help preserve -- and even enhance -- Avista's commitments to its customers and its communities. In a changing industry landscape, joining forces with Hydro One will help safeguard Avista's proud legacy and way of doing business...